Cherry tree ‘PC7146-8’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of sweet cherry ( Prunus avium ) named ‘PC7146-8’ is disclosed. The new cultivar is notable for its large, high quality dark red fruit of superior flavor, and for its early ripening time, a few days before ‘Bing.’

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus avium.

Variety denomination: PC7146-8.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cherry tree ‘PC7146-8’ was developed as part of a controlledbreeding program at the Washington State University IrrigatedAgriculture Research and Extension Center at Prosser, Wash. It wasselected from among several seedlings that resulted from a cross of‘Stella’ (seed parent, unpatented) and ‘Beaulieu’ (pollen parent,unpatented) in 1971, and was subsequently asexually propagated bybudding at Prosser. Asexual propagation of ‘PC7146-8’ has shown that itsdesirable characteristics reproduce true to form and are established andtransmitted through succeeding generations.

‘PC7146-8’ is notable for its very large, high quality dark red fruitand superior flavor. Bloom time for the new cultivar is a few daysearlier than ‘Bing’ (unpatented); the fruit of the new cultivar ripens afew days earlier than ‘Bing’. ‘PC7146-8’ is self fertile. All closelyobserved second and third generation test trees have shown no tendencytoward the cherry crinkle-leaf disorder that is common in ‘Bing’ as wellas in several other varieties of sweet cherry.

‘PC7146-8’ is distinguishable from its parents ‘Stella’ and ‘Beaulieu’by its larger size, lower susceptibility to rain-induced splitting, andimproved flavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing the fruit of the new cultivar;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing whole and sectioned fruit of thenew cultivar; and

FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing whole and sectioned fruit of thenew cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of Prunus avium named ‘PC7146-8’, based on observationsmade during the 2002 and 2004 growing seasons of 24- and 26-year oldspecimen trees grown near Prosser, Wash. It should be understood thatthe botanical characteristics described will vary somewhat dependingupon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary withlocation and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an averageof measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the newvariety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group ofplants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average size 14 feet high, spread 18 feet wide            (on ‘Mazzard’ rootstock) (unpatented).        -   Vigor—Vigorous. Average growth 18 inches per year.        -   Branching habit.—Upright-spreading.        -   Density.—Average for sweet cherry.        -   Form.—Round-headed when mature.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in area where tested; USDA hardiness zone            5b.        -   Production.—Comparable to ‘Bing’.        -   Bearing.—Consistent, regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Stocky, 64 cm diameter at 20 cm above soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Typical for sweet cherry.        -   Bark color.—Gray brown, 183A.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous; Large, average 2-15 mm diameter; brown.-   Branch:    -   -   Size.—Stocky; Main branches average 21 cm.        -   Crotch angle of bearing branches.—20°-90° from vertical.        -   Texture.—Average, typical for sweet cherry.        -   Color.—First year wood, light green143C; Second year wood,            brownish gray, 183A.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous; Medium, average 3-5 mm in diameter;            brown.-   Leaves: (Measurements are from mature leaves attached at midpoint of    actively growing upright shoots of current season's growth.).    -   -   Size.—Very large, average 13-19 cm long, 6-8 cm wide.        -   Form.—Lanceolate with acuminate tip, cuneate to rounded            base.        -   Color.—Upper surface, glossy green, 139A; Lower surface,            light green, 137C.        -   Margin.—Dentate.        -   Midvein.—Large, average 1.5 mm diameter, Green, 195C.        -   Petiole.—Medium to long, average 35-45 mm long, 2-3 mm            thick; Upper side red 179A; Under side green, 195C.        -   Glands.—1-2; Large, oval; Red 179A.-   Flowers:    -   -   Buds.—4 to 7 per spur, avg. 5; Avg. 4.8 mm long; Avg. 2.6 mm            wide; Greyed orange 165A;        -   Pedicel.—2-5 cm.        -   Bloom time.—First bloom Apr. 2, 2002; Full bloom Apr. 12 to            22, 2002 at Prosser, Wash.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Eating ripe June 18 (12 year average).        -   Date of first picking.—June 7.        -   Date of last picking.—July 28.        -   Size.—Large, average 6-11 g; diameter transversely across            suture, average 2.2-2.5 cm; diameter apically average            2.2-2.5 cm.        -   Form.—Reniform, uniform, symmetrical.        -   Suture.—Very shallow.        -   Cavity.—Flattened at pedicel, rounded toward shoulders;            diameter 1.1 cm shoulder to shoulder, depth 0.3 mm.        -   Stem.—Long, thin, average 3.5-5 cm in length, 0.1 mm thick;            Light green 141C.        -   Skin.—Medium thickness; Medium texture; Tenacious to flesh;            Susceptible to cracking caused by prolonged rains, about the            same as ‘Bing’; No susceptibility to cracking in dry season;            Down, wanting; Color, mahogany red N186B.        -   Flesh.—Color, red, 59C; Texture, firm, crisp; Juiciness            average; Eating quality, superior.        -   Stone.—Semi-free stone; Small, average 1.1 cm long, 0.8 cm            wide; Oval with acuminate tip, rounded base, prominent            ridge; Grey-orange 165C.-   Use: Early to midseason shipping to fresh markets.-   Keeping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects and diseases: Susceptible to bacterial canker    (pseudomonas); no cherry crinkle-leaf noted; Susceptibility to    powdery mildew is thought to be low.-   Shipping quality: Firm.

1. A new and distinct cherry tree, substantially as shown and describedherein.